Pancreas transplantation is currently the only treatment capable of establishing a constant normoglycemic state in type 1 diabetic patients (DM1). It has been particularly indicated in the most severe forms of the disease, which usually goes along with secondary complications such as retinopathy, neuropathy and nephropathy. Pancreas transplantation has been mostly used in association to kidney transplant in end-stage renal failure DM1 patients and corresponds to 85% of all pancreas transplantation. Other indication is the pancreas after kidney, once the patient previously submitted to kidney transplant is already under immunossupression. Pancreas transplant alone remains a controversial issue, however it may be indicated in brittle DM or in those with other secondary complications and stable kidney function. This paper reports the first case of pancreas transplant alone (whole organ with bladder drainage) performed in Brazil for treatment of brittle DM.
Pancreas transplantation; Kidney transplantation; Diabetes mellitus; Diabetic nephropathy
